Is a notary seal required in New York?

No. New York does not require a notary to use a seal or stamp. If you choose to use one, the Department of State’s position is that the only required inscription is your name and the words that identify you as a notary. What the law does require is your signature and the statement of your authority beneath it, not a stamp.

The trap on the exam

Every other state seems to require a seal, so test-takers assume New York does too and pick "yes." New York is the outlier: no seal required. The real requirement is the § 137 statement of authority, and the exam swaps "seal" for "statement of authority" to catch you.

A real example

You finish an acknowledgment with your signature and, printed beneath it, your name, "Notary Public, State of New York," your county, and your commission expiration. That statement is required. A rubber stamp on top of it is optional in New York.

Remember it as No seal required. The signature and the statement of authority are.

What the law says

The laws of New York do not require notaries to use seals: "The laws of the State of New York do not require the use of seals by notaries public." If a seal is used, DOS’s opinion is that the only required inscription is the notary’s name. The Executive Law § 137 statement of authority (name, "Notary Public State of New York," county, commission expiration) is what the law requires beneath the signature.

Source: NY DOS Notary Public License Law

Walker's Notary is an independent study course. We are not affiliated with the New York Department of State. This answer traces to the current License Law publication; always confirm against the official source before you rely on it.